asked the Minister for Finance in respect of each of the 15 licensed archaeological excavations towards which a total of £57,700 in State grants was paid, but which in reply to Question No. 319 of 12 October 1977 it was stated that there was no record of a report of the finding of archaeological objects in accordance with section 23 of the National Monuments Act, 1930: (a) if he is satisfied that no archaeological objects were in fact found, and (b) if not, the action he has taken to secure compliance with the provision of the section.

I assume the Deputy is referring to Question No. 314 of 18 October, 1977. (a) I am satisfied that no archaeological objects were found in three of the sites. (b) The Commissioners of Public Works wrote to each of the archaeologists concerned in 1977 asking for a report in the matter. Since then, as indicated by the Minister for Education in reply to Question No. 21 of 23 May 1979, reports have been received of the finding of archaeological objects at five of the sites. The Commissioners of Public Works will continue to press the excavators of the other seven sites to furnish reports of any archaeological objects found.

Does the Minister consider it to be satisfactory that these archaeologists who have excavated seven sites at public expense—even though they have been asked to do so for the last two years—should not have furnished any report to the Office of Public Works on what they have found; if he considers that this matter should be left in the realm of mere correspondence between the Office of Public Works and the archaeologists in question?

Yes, one could be disappointed with the return of information from archaeologists; there is no doubt about that. But every effort is being made by the authorities concerned to obtain this information.

Could the Minister give an assurance that none of the archaeologists in question who failed to furnish this information will be given grants to carry out archaeological excavations in the future?

As I said in reply to a previous question, that is a matter that will be taken into account before any grants are allocated.

I asked the Minister for an assurance that they will not get grants.

That is a matter that will be considered.

The Deputy may not ask several questions without the permission of the Chair and even sitting down when the Minister is replying. It is not in conformity with the orderly dignity of the House to behave in that manner.

I did not intend any disrespect to the Chair.

I am not suggesting that, but the practice shows a certain lack of decorum.

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